by Jordan Brewer '10
One main difference I have noticed during my time in Argentina is the prevelance of weekday activities after school. After school in the United States, most students go home, do homework then maybe go to club sports practice or a youth group. Very rarely would a student do what we have been doing in Argentina. After school the boys from Colegio participate in many activities from going to their friends houses to play video games to having a coffee and a factura (danish pastry) at a local paneria (bakery). Yesterday for example, Miki (my host brother), Pablo (Andrew Anderson's host brother), Andrew and I went to the paneria for a coffee. Upon arriving, I had predicted that we would re-enact a steryotypical Starbucks experience and get our coffee quickly before leaving. But, quite the contrary happened. We got out coffee and facturas in good time, but we sat down and ended up talking over coffee for an hour or so. We talked about what they do on the weekends, how Andrew and I were coping with the adjustment and tons more. I think this is a very civilized way of living and have really enjoyed my time so far in Argentina.
The outside of Colegio Inmaculada.
The Spanish style government building next to Colegio.
by Jordan Brewer '10
Jordan,
i dig and agree with your sense of what a "civilized way of living" can look like outside the States. Truly we get bogged down in busy-ness and often interact mostly with friends technologically via phones and computers. Cheers to a slower, more human interaction. Hopefully your month is fraught with such humanness,interaction, perspective, and of course, coffee. --Mr Walsh